CHFI Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process Practice Question
This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of computer forensics fundamentals and process. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company's legal department issues a legal hold notice for electronically stored information (ESI) related to a pending lawsuit. The IT department is tasked with preserving data. Which of the following actions is MOST likely to violate the legal hold requirements?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Continuing to run a script that deletes temporary files older than 24 hours.
Option C is correct because continuing to run a script that deletes temporary files older than 24 hours directly destroys ESI that may be relevant to the lawsuit, violating the legal hold requirement to preserve all potentially relevant data. Legal hold mandates the suspension of any automated or manual processes that could alter or delete ESI, including temporary files that might contain fragments of relevant documents or metadata. Unlike suspending routine email deletion (Option B), which is a preservation action, the script actively purges data and thus breaches the hold.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Notifying all employees to preserve documents related to the lawsuit.
Why it's wrong here
Notification is a standard step.
✗
Suspending routine deletion of emails older than 30 days.
Why it's wrong here
This is a proper action to comply with the hold.
✓
Continuing to run a script that deletes temporary files older than 24 hours.
Why this is correct
If temporary files could contain relevant ESI, deletion violates the hold.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Taking a forensic image of the relevant servers.
Why it's wrong here
Imaging preserves data.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
EC-Council often tests the misconception that only 'obvious' data like emails or documents need preservation, but the trap here is that temporary files and caches are also ESI and must be preserved under a legal hold, making their automated deletion a violation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Legal hold requirements under FRCP Rule 37(e) mandate that organizations must take reasonable steps to preserve ESI, including suspending any routine deletion or overwriting processes. Temporary files (e.g., .tmp, cache files) often contain unflushed data from applications like Microsoft Office or web browsers, which may hold fragments of relevant documents or metadata. A script that deletes files older than 24 hours (e.g., using `find /tmp -type f -mtime +0 -delete`) would destroy this ESI, potentially leading to spoliation sanctions if the data is later deemed relevant.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the CHFI exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CHFI question in full detail.
Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process — This question tests Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Continuing to run a script that deletes temporary files older than 24 hours. — Option C is correct because continuing to run a script that deletes temporary files older than 24 hours directly destroys ESI that may be relevant to the lawsuit, violating the legal hold requirement to preserve all potentially relevant data. Legal hold mandates the suspension of any automated or manual processes that could alter or delete ESI, including temporary files that might contain fragments of relevant documents or metadata. Unlike suspending routine email deletion (Option B), which is a preservation action, the script actively purges data and thus breaches the hold.
What should I do if I get this CHFI question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This CHFI practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CHFI exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.